Hello George,
Thanks for your answer. I have recently acquired an vintage make steel bicycle frame that has remained in storage and is unpainted save for a primer coat. Aside from considering whether the maker would have originally used chrome, I'm wondering if chrome is worth the effort. Bob Jacksons offer it, and several list-members have said that it lasts extremely well if waxed.
I'm sorry that you've doubted my use of the word practical. In Oxford English, the word 'practical' distinguishes an object that can be used from one that is purely decorative.
Thanks again for replying,
Mark Lawrence Oxford England
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of gholl@optonline.net Sent: 11 June 2009 17:07 To: Classic Rendezvous Subject: [CR] "Practical" Chromed Frame
This is a curious question since the answer will hinge on the reader's sense of what "practical" means. If "useful" is the idea, chrome is useful in resisting some forms of damage which paints cannot-thus, chainstays, etc. were chromed on some framesets while the rest of the bike was painted. If the sense is taken as "sensible" the answer is probably no-chromed frames are pricey, prone to problems, and if damaged must be completely redone. If the question is a furtive attempt to determine the practicality of chroming a previously chromed painted frameset, you will quickly find that, while possible, it's a very expensive procedure that not too many chromers will undertake and, will be expensive if they do. Among the issues in chroming a frameset lie chroming tank size, frame preparation, frame drainage and neutralization of the frame interior, to mention a few. Also know that painting over chrome is very tough and, if decals are applied to a chrome frameset, it is likely that it will have to be clearcoated. All this having been said, there's not too much in "cycle-glitz" that will top the attention garnered by a well chromed frameset-other than perhaps a gilt frameset. George
George Hollenberg MD
CT, USA